Six Most Common HVAC Problems in Washington, Utah, and How To Fix Them

Is your HVAC system stubbornly refusing to cool or heat your home? Maybe your furnace is making weird noises, or your air conditioner is leaking all over the floor. Problems like these can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you have no idea how to fix them.

Below, learn about the most common HVAC problems and their solutions, then call us for HVAC services in Washington, UT.

Most Common HVAC Problems and Solutions for Washington, Utah Homeowners

Is your HVAC not heating or cooling your home? There are a whole host of problems that can cause a lack of cooling and heating, from clogged ductwork to refrigerant leaks. Let’s take a look at some common HVAC issues that homeowners in Washington struggle with.

1. Thermostat Issues

If your furnace or air conditioner seems to be acting up, there may not be anything wrong with the unit itself. Rather, a malfunctioning thermostat could be to blame.

Thermostats can stop working properly if the batteries are running low, so try replacing yours. If your thermostat is hardwired to your home’s electrical system and doesn’t use batteries, there might be a problem with your wiring.

If your thermostat has fresh batteries and your unit still won’t respond, you might need to perform a calibration. You can usually find instructions on how to do this in the thermostat’s user manual. If you’ve lost the manual or would rather have a pro fix this and any of the other most common HVAC problems, call us.

2. Refrigerant Leaks

HVAC not cooling your home? If you’ve noticed a steady decrease in cooling power recently, your air conditioner might have a refrigerant leak. Your cooling system uses refrigerant to transfer warmth out of your home. Without adequate refrigerant levels, your house will steadily get warmer and warmer. You’ll probably have high energy bills, too.

The only way to fix this issue is to call a technician to repair the leak and add more refrigerant. Don’t try to repair a refrigerant leak yourself. Refrigerant is dangerous when handled improperly and can make you sick.

3. Strange HVAC Noises

Are you hearing weird noises from your cooling or heating unit? This is one of the most common HVAC problems, and one of the most frustrating to deal with.

Your air conditioner and furnace should never make noises other than a quiet hum. If your system is squealing, banging, or grinding, you may be experiencing trouble with the following:

• • Unbalanced fan blades scraping against the machinery

• • Debris stuck inside the outdoor unit

• • Loose screws that have fallen inside the unit

• • A loose belt flapping around

• • A refrigerant leak, which can make a whistling noise

In some cases, you may be able to stop the racket by thoroughly cleaning your unit. In others, you’ll need to call us for help.

4. Poor Airflow

Do you feel very little or no airflow coming from your vents? You either have a leak or a blockage somewhere in your ductwork. Cracks in ducts allow air to escape instead of sending it through your home.

To fix the problem, reach out to us for duct cleaning or repairs.

5. Heating Ignition Issues

Furnace not heating your home? If you have a gas furnace, check the pilot light and relight it if it has gone out. Electric furnaces have an ignition instead of a pilot light. Press the ignition button to restart yours.

If that doesn’t work, your ignition switch or pilot light may be faulty. A yellow flame is a telltale sign of a malfunctioning pilot light. Give us a call promptly if your pilot light is yellow instead of blue.

6. Dirty or Frozen Coils

Your air conditioner contains evaporator and condenser coils that facilitate the transfer of refrigerant through the system. Over time, these coils can become caked with dirt, which prevents them from doing their job properly. Moisture can collect on the coils, too, causing them to freeze over.

If your coils are dirty or frozen, you will need to call an HVAC technician to clean them. Avoid cleaning the coils yourself as it’s easy to damage them.